1/17/2014 4:18 PM PST

6:50 PM PT -- Sources connected to Geno tell us he was sitting on a Virgin America flight listening to music on his headphones when they announced it was time to shut off electronics.

Geno claims he didn't hear the announcement, and the flight attendant came over and physically unplugged his headphones. We're told Geno got upset, screamed at the flight attendant, who screamed back -- then Geno stood up ... refused to sit down, and claims he called cops.

But Virgin also called the police, who escorted Geno off the flight. Alec Baldwin would be proud.

We're told Geno complied ... and was questioned and released by officers without further incident.

NY Jets quarterback Geno Smith tells TMZ Sports ... he was NOT escorted off a plane by police at LAX ... despite multiple witnesses and photos that seem to tell a different story.

Multiple people at LAX began posting on social networks that Geno was involved in a verbal confrontation near a Virgin America gate at LAX on Friday ... and it got so intense, cops were called to the scene.